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Election Results
The election results are revealed to the public shortly after September 24, 2018: 22 seats for the Conservatives and 21 for the Liberals. Although the Conservatives have landed more seats, the Liberals have more votes overall. The existing premier Brian Gallant is determined to remain in power. -
The Lieutenant Governor
Brian Gallant speaks with the Lieutenant Governor at the Government house. He advocates for himself an his side to be allowed to remain in office. The Lt-Gov makes the call that if the premier can convince other members of the green's and of the people's alliance of the legislative assembly to join the liberal side (gaining the confidence of the house), he could stay in office. -
The Leader of the Opposition's Take
Conservative party leader Blaine Higgs made many statements on news and in interviews on the topic. He believes the results of the election are clear, that he should be in office indefinitely, and that Brian Gallant's efforts are prolonging the inevitable. He states that all the premier is doing is making it harder to solve the issues as the legislature is not happening during this time. -
The Speaker and the Speech from the Throne
When forming government, the party trying to form must have a speaker that delivers the Speech from the Throne. When a speaker comes forward, they must give up their seat from whatever side they may stand on, and in the case of the liberals, that would put them in a bad spot. Efforts were made to convince the members of the green party and people's alliance to come forward and speak for them, but with no results. -
Dire Straits
In the end, the liberals brought forth a speaker in late October to deliver the speech as there were few options. If they would prolong the speech from the throne any longer, there would still be no legislature and no problems at the provincial level would be fixed. For the greater good, former Premier Brian Gallant had no choice but to come forward with a speaker from the Liberal side even if it meant losing power for them was imminent. -
Liberal's Loss
On October 22, 2018, Daniel Guitard was elected as speaker. The Speech from the Throne was read by the Lieutenant Governor. She decided that new elections are expensive and that it isn't in anybody's best interest to do that. Brian Gallant and the Liberal party did not have the confidence of the house, so in turn Blaine Higgs and the Conservatives were to form government. -
Higgs Wins
Premier Blaine Higgs was officially appointed Premier of New Brunswick on November 9, 2018. It was the first minority government in 100 years. He continues to lead New Brunswick to this day.